DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Ben Wants To Be A Good Man! Will He Find Redemption, Or Does He Have Everyone Fooled?

Just how was NBC’s Days of Our Lives going to bring Ben Weston (Rob Scott Wilson) back onto the canvas after he had been a necktie serial strangler? Well, by having Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) be the psychiatrist who evaluates him to see if there’s any reason he should not be released back into society.

In an interrogation room, Marlena is there to assess if “Killer” Ben has found his sanity. When she speaks with him, Ben admits how sorry he is for the hurt he has caused so many people along the way. When Marlena questions him when he realized right from wrong, he shocks her by saying it was six months ago, when her daughter, Sami (Alison Sweeney) returned to Salem, kidnapped him, and forced him to strangle Will (Chandler Massey) again. If you recall, this plot was perpetrated by Sami, to try to shock Will into regaining his memory, since he’s been suffering from amnesia for quite some time. Ben tells Marlena, it was at that point, when he was strangling Will for a second time, that he realized the horror of what he had done. He just couldn’t go on … he couldn’t finish the job and strangle him to death. Then Ben adds, that he realizes he’s ruined lives, and there’s no forgiveness, and that he’ll spend his life trying to make peace with what he’s done.

But later, Marlena goes for the jugular, when she takes out of her bag a folder containing headshots of those that Ben killed which included: Serena, Paige, Wendy, and the attempted murder of Will. Ben starts to get jittery, rubbing his brow, and becoming exceedingly nervous. He calls himself a “monster.” However, when he saw that Will was alive, and found out the intel, and came back to tell everyone, (even though he ruined the double wedding of Sonny and Paul, and Chad and Abigail, as he crashed it), it changed everything for him. He says it gives him hope. He wants a new start, and to be a “good man.” But, is Ben to be trusted?

At the end of the episode, Marlena goes to see Hope (Kristian Alfonso) and Rafe (Galen Gering) with the update about her visit with Ben. She says, she cannot file an objection with the court, because she clearly feels he is not delusional, and he is remorseful for his crimes. Rafe and Hope think he’s absolutely lying and manipulating her. Marlena fires back: “I can’t file the objection in good conscience” leaving Hope and Rafe stunned that Ben will be released into society, and back to Salem, where he has harmed so many people.

How great was it to see Rob Scott Wilson back as Ben? And now to play the beats of a redemption storyline… or is it? What will Ben’s psychological makeup actually be moving forward? Share your thoughts on the Marlena and Ben psych eval scenes. Will he be the good man he promises her that he will be … or … will he still turn out to have that “killer” instinct? Comment below.

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Ray Johnson

I think Rob Wilson is the best young actor on daytime. I thought he was overlooked for an Emmy the year he became unhinged. I look forward to this storyline and hope to see Ciara and Ben mix it up. It will bring a new dimension to her character and get her involved in an adult storyline outside of Claire. I like Ciara with Tripp too, so it will be interesting how the story evolves. For the fans who think he can’t be redeemed, remember that EJ raped Sami and they went on to become the best couple of the past 10 years.

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June 3, 2018 2:16 pm

Karen

I saw the preview of Ben and Ciara. Bo’s gorgeous rebel has found her (dark) Prince and they are the next Day’s supercouple!

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June 3, 2018 2:40 pm

Celia

Really, Karen? Wow….who woukd have “thunk”. I am floored. Yet, I feel badly for Tripp—this will leave the door open gor Claire. Ugh!!!!!!! This girl has the power to spin the wheels in my brain …..the cogs going haywire, everywhichway…..Do not like her or her manipulative manner…..

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June 4, 2018 9:17 am

Nk3play2

Juxtaposing Ben’s return with a psychiatrist deeming him fit to re-enter society with Abigail only avoiding jail time after she committed murder, due to an apparent mental illness was very smart of the writers. If viewers can except that Abby is not guilty by reason of insanity, it makes it easier to believe the same can be said for Ben. I am in no way saying their crimes are remotely similar. But it was made very clear when Ben first became a killer that he was not in his right mind.

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June 3, 2018 6:25 pm

jbj

Moreover, it’s completely ignored that if he triggered her breakdown then she could have triggered or at least contributed to his. If she is curable, then so is he…though I have my doubts about them both.

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June 5, 2018 10:10 pm

Celia

I hope Ben is not brought back just to fool us. We already went that cycle of terrorism. It would be such a siin…..waste of THE BEST young actor on soaps……lest I forget—-soooo hooottt-everything about him is deliciously exquisite—even his shoulders. I am fascinated with very masculine, great-looking, toned, slim shoulders…..Just as Xander’s …..I am spoiled!! Yum!! Robert, will mesmerize us—-just as Ben did pre-good guy pulling a Salem Strangler.

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June 4, 2018 9:04 am

Jimh

I wonder what Eve will think when Ben is released…he murdered Paige-her daughter!!!

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June 4, 2018 12:17 pm

Soaphound

Hi Celia. I’m thrilled with Robert’s return. I don’t usually go for bad boys (I’ve known too many in real life), but Ben turns me on (minus the violent bits). Robert SW is the whole package. Too bad Y&R, so desperately in need of hot guys who can act, didn’t grab him.

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June 4, 2018 7:34 pm

Christmas Carol

I think he will have everyone believe he is not the same person who committed all of those murders.I dont think he has changed one single bit,I just wonder what will happen when Abby gets back to Salem. Will this trigger off another set back, If he has changed good because it has Ben a long time since we saw the Ben from when he first arrived in Salem

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Lucas Says Goodbye To Salem, While Julie Recalls Coming Back To Town

December 11, 2018

In a very touching episode of Days of our Lives, Tuesday brought with it an emotional goodbye from exiting fan favorite Bryan Dattilo (Lucas), and the soap paying homage to Susan Seaforth Hayes’ 50th anniversary to the day as Julie.

It begins in Horton Town Square where Julie next to the plaque dedicated to her grandparents, Tom and Alice Horton, has a flash back to phone call with Tom five decades ago.

Meanwhile, now broken up with Chloe, and ready to leave Salem to be with his daughter, Allie, Lucas tells Will he is leaving and that he is happy Will and Sonny found their way back to each other. The two hug it out, and tell each other how proud they are of one another. Next, Lucas goes to visit his mother, Kate. In a touching exchange played by Dattilo and Lauren Koslow, viewers were treated to Kate’s pain of the mistakes she made as a mother, and Lucas being forgiving of her.

At Doug’s Place, Julie and Abigail try to figure out how to bring down Stefan and Gabi. Julie promises to not tell anyone that Abigail is not mentally ill saying. “Your secret is safe with me.” Next, Chloe happens upon the scene and Julie quickly sees Chloe break down in tears. She then reveals to Julie, that she and Lucas broke up. Julie gives Chloe a tissue and some words of advice – the gospel according to Julie – that they were not meant to be, and that Chloe will find true love. After all, after Julie’s other failed relationships, once she was with Doug she found her soulmate, so she knows it can happen.

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Julie flashes back to speaking with Alice when she worries that Tom would not want her to return to Salem. For Julie had been in San Francisco, and where she brings up putting her son up for adoption, but how she later raised him and how happy that Eli is her grandson. She even recalls when JJ got her and other ladies in Salem accidentally high on pot-filled donuts!

When Lucas turns up at the Horton’s everyone is saddened and shocked that he has decided to depart Salem Julie says Salem will always be his home. JJ hands Lucas his ornament now, breaking the Christmas tradition early. Lucas hangs his ornament in another emotional moment.

Next, we see Lucas waiting for a taxi, with his suitcases at Horton Town Square, He gazes at the Tom and Alice dedication plaque and says, “I’ll be back. someday.” Hankies!

Alone now with Julie, Doug brings out a cake celebrating how it is 50 years since Julie returned to Salem permanently. Cue the montage … as Doug’s voice is heard singing “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World”, one of the duo’s signature songs, as clips of their love affair played throughout. We fade to black.

DAYS honored Susan Hayes and gave Brytan Dattilo some heart-tugging moments as he left the canvas as the beloved Lucas. So what did you think of the episode? Sad to see Bryan exit? Happy to see the show wrote in a way to honor Susan’s 50th as Julie? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

If you caught this week’s episodes of Days of our Lives, you know that Ted Laurent (Gilles Marini) has resurfaced in Salem and had asked Hope (Kristian Alfonso) for protection from Stefan DiMera, who was responsible for his disappearance in exchange for information on Ben Weston (Rob Scott Wilson).

Now in the latest episode of Inside Salem: Days of our Lives Podcast, actor Gilles Marini chats it up with host, Michael Fairman on what to expect as Ted’s story brings with it many twists and turns; including a potential love triangle.

Marini reveals what he thinks Ted’s weakness ia when the guy has not previously been on the up and up, plus his thoughts on working with three of his co-stars and their characters: Lauren Koslow’s Kate, Kristian Alfonso’s Hope, and Greg Rikaart’s Leo, whom he has shared up to now most of his screen-time.

The talented actor who hails from France, also talks on some other highlights in his career, including one of his big breaks on the beloved ABC drama, Brothers & Sisters working opposite Rachel Griffiths, and a host of award-winning actors, including Sally Field, and of course, his time on Dancing with the Stars where he became one of the most popular celebrity contestants on the series of all-time.

Later, in the podcast’s dressing room segment, Eric Martsolf (Brady) welcomes Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe) into his digs at DAYS, and then two tease some upcoming #Broe moments.

Check out this excerpt from NBC of Gilles interview below. Then, make sure to head over to NBC.com to listen to the episode currently streaming there, and on Monday, looks for this episode to be available on all pod platforms, including iTunes for download.